Walk Down Memory Lane

Alley walk

So Tracy and I decided to rent a condo for the week in Chiang Mai.  One night I had decided to walk down the street to the local 7/11 to grab some milk.  Well, the street was pretty small, it was late in the evening and was quite dark as well. I then realized...I am in SE Asia, where I've lived for the past 2 years, walking down the street to grab some milk...this is crazy.  And it dawned on me.  That Jesus has been looking out for me for so many years.  I was reminded of when I lived in Lima, Peru as a 21 year old new Christian. And how even there Jesus looked out for me and cared for me.  I'm so thankful to my LORD.

 

Christmas Outreach in the Neighborhood

    

      

      

       

       

    

  

    

     

So was part of the Christmas outreach in our Neighborhood!!!  I was asked to be one of the MC's.  I just say that was quite a challenge since I had to do it in Thai.  Jesus was gracious and I was so thankful that there was a team of Thai people who was able to basically run the whole show.  What a great gift and opportunity to have the Christmas story told and the presentation of the Gospel proclaimed.  After the event there was one woman who decided to follow and accept Jesus Christ!

Cecil

Christmas Outreach

      

                              

       

         

    

      

       

So we had the privilege of blessing a small Buddhist Temple school on December 23rd. They invited the Nakan Family and us to have some activities, pass out gifts, and tell the kids about Christmas.  We felt so honoured to have that opportunity.   What a great opportunity to share about the birth of Christ and bless the community.

Christmas in Phan Thong

This is the first Christmas outreach we had in Phan Thong.  I was hoping for 40-50 people...ended up closer to 75-80.  It was a fun filled night with good food, great activities and the Nativity Story with the Gospel presentation.  I was so thankful to Jesus to be in a town with little or no exposure to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Continue to pay for our friends here...that they would trust in Jesus.

Cecil

Introductions at Party

Phan Thong Christmas Party

9 year anniversary

So blessed to have been with such an amazing woman for the past 10 years and married for the past 9 years.  Apart from salvation Tracy is the greatest gift the LORD has given me.  I look forward to spending many more years with her.

SPOT IT at English Class

Ramos Boys at ALH

So thankful for the Bridge Bible Church for building the playground for the children at ALH.

Ramos Boys at IKEA

Rami Costume Party

This was during our October Party.

Muaie-Chicken Lady Friend

So Tracy and I have several friends around town...and sometimes I forget that if I told write about them you'll never know.  So our friend here is named Muaie and she works everyday selling chicken and "chicken products."  She is a very sweet woman and we love chicken, so we see her often.  She has come to a few of our parties and English class. Pray that she would come to trust in Jesus.

Jay's Gig

So my barber, who is also my friend, has been coming to our Friday Night English class-is also a musician.  A few weeks ago he had a gig and so Knot gave me a call and asked me if I wanted to see his show.  After chatting with Tracy we decided it would be a very good idea.  He has some great skills on the guitar and a great voice.  We had a great time being there and showing our support for him.

Cecil

Thanksgiving

So we have been having parties once a month and this past month we decided to have a "Thanksgiving" party, and it was a blast. It was great to have friends and neighbors to be over our place.  The neighborhood kids also found their way over to our house for dinner.  Probably the best part of the night was when we were sharing about what we were thankful for.  Many of those who were Christians took the opportunity to thank the LORD for His blessings in their lives. It was also encouraging to see the yet-to-be-Christians mention how thankful they were to be in our lives and to have us as their friends.  I pray that Jesus would give us more opportunities to show them the goodness of Jesus in our lives.

Cecil

Spirit Break Out

 So this morning, before the family was up, I was worshipping to the song Spirit Break Out by Kim Walker-Smith and it was such an incredible time of worship. I felt that the LORD allowed me to partake in His heart and conviction for his people. Images of our Thai neighbors, the brothels, and our Thai friends in this town began to flood my mind.   I began to weep and plead with the LORD, begging Him to set the captives free...that liberty would come to my friends, that He would wash them clean, restore their lives, pour His Spirit and His pure love into his heart.  I also imagined myself back in Bakersfield worshipping with our brothers and sister in Christ.  It was such an emotional and powerful time of worship...please continue to pray with me...that Heaven would come down and He would rush into their hearts, and flood their mind with His goodness and grace.

Cecil

Light Sabers

Kurtis Parker

                 

     

    

                              

                          

Kurtis Parker is his name, and we met about 12 years ago when I was about 21 years old.  We both started working and a student loan service company.  I recently gave my life to Jesus and the Lord placed Kurtis in my path.  He was the first guy whom I prayed over in public, his daughter was born early and I remember he was very concerned.  Shortly after that I witnessed him giving his life to Jesus and getting baptized.  It has been a joy to see him grow.  It has not been a perfect, neat journey but Kurtis had never given up.  He's a fighter, not a quitter.  He has a wonderful wife, Stephanie-whom we love and miss very much, and two fantastic kids.  Kurtis is an amazing Dad, and a loving husband, I couldn't be more proud of him. When I think of "new creations" in Christ, I think of Kurtis Parker.  He is a man who is changing his family legacy.  He has become one of my closest friends, grateful to have him in my corner.  May the LORD bless he and his family, to the second and third generation.  Lord bless you brother...look forward to seeing you face to face.

Cecil

Flash flood Thailand

Solas Preaching

Science Museum with Nakan Family

Ramos boys at the park

This was our first party September 26th

Tingle Visit

We had a great time with the Tingle family.  Bob and Jana-Tracy's parents- are very busy in ministry back home and around the world.  We had a lot of laughs and made some great memories, look forward to seeing you guys soon.

Cecil

New Strong Friend

So this morning my good friend Knot and I-Knoy is in the blue shirt-went around my town Phan Thong looking for a certain car wash...we found so much more.  We stopped and asked for directions from this man here, Mr. Subin.  Who to my surprise was built like an ox-which is very rare in Thailand.  We got to chatting and ended up hanging out at his mini-mart for the next 25 just spending time with him.  At one point I thought to myself, "LORD this was all part of your plan today wasn't it?"

In the future I look forward to connecting with him on a more regular basis.

Cecil

Saturday mornings

So if we are in town and have an opportunity we go to the local "Kids Club" around the block from our house.  They have activities, play games and have a little Bible study for the kids. Most of the children who go are from families who are not yet Christians, and all the kids are Thai...except for ours of course.  Since our boys are home-schooled this is an amazing opportunity to not only hang out with other kids but to hang out with Neighborhood Thai kids-which is very important to our family.  My friend from the local Mini Mart, who has been coming to our English class, was introcuded to the kids club and this week was actually the first time I saw his girls there...it truly made my day to see his precious girls learning about the Stories of the Bible and about my LORD Jesus.

Below is a picture of my friend, his name is Lek-pronounced Lick.

Father Son Time

So the other day Solas and I ended up having an impromptu Father Son time.  We both got haircuts then we had a late dinner together, what a gift it is to be with him.  He's growing up so quickly!

Cecil

The Sampley Family a Gift from God

I was 19 years old when I stumbled into my first class of American Sign Language, and DeAnn Sampley was my professor at Bakersfield College.  I was a young man lost and drowning in my own sin.  Nonetheless, I became interested and intrigued with a group of young students who followed Jesus and were close to the Sampley family.  It was later that I discovered how much they were praying for me...and I'm so thankful and grateful they did.  It was through their compassion, love and care for me that drew me to Laurelglen Bible Church, it was June of 2002 were I dedicated my life to Jesus, soon after Mike Sampley baptized me and I became involved in the Deaf Church and their Bible study out of their home.  I grew tremendously from the studies and watching their lives.  I could honestly say I am a better man, and stronger follower of Jesus because of the love and guidance they have given me throughout the years.  Being far from them certainly isn't easy, but I thank the LORD for the precious time that we spent together.  Sampley family, you have been, and always will be, a precious gift of God to me family and me.  LORD bless you and your wonderful household.

Cecil

Tears with Solas

So tonight I was laying down with my eldest son Solas, and just asking him how his heart was doing and if he was missing the states.  He opened up and began to become emotional as he was describing all the things he missed.  I had him look at me and with my eyes filled with tears I reassured him that's it was okay to cry, and that I too missed Bakersfield and all the friends and family. We had such a sweet time talking about the timeline of returning back to the states and it became another opportunity to remind Solas why we would leave the comforts of the States, and all the wonderful relationships of those back in North America.  So thankful to have these moments with my boys.  I held him close, we prayed together and thanked Jesus for the blessings He's given us.

You Jesus are an amazing Lord and God

Solas and Judah

Boys can't wait to get back to the states.

Toby Mac in the Morning

Need to try and let loose sometime.

MB MISSION ACTION

Check out our video of the Reedly MB ACTION TEAM from this past summer:

http://youtu.be/vSrXbk87VC8

Thank you LBC!!!

Thank you LBC VBS...you have brought great joy!!!!

2 1/2 years ago in Canada

Thought you might enjoy several old clips.

Good times in CHIANG MAI

This was about a year ago...miss those Sunday's.

Cecil

This was earlier in the spring at our missionary retreat.  We had a lot of fun.  Thought I'd post some videos for those of you who don't have Facebook....enjoy.

Cousins

So since we've been doing homeschool with the Nakan family Solas and Judah have a few more cousins.  You see Sarah-the older sister-and Shalom the younger.  It truly is a great gift to have them in our lives.  We are truly thankful to have part of our lives!!!

Cecil